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“Even small increases in walking and cycling can have massive benefits for the health of a nation. The only difference is a marginal increase in the number of seconds it takes in cross-city journeys

She met Cardiff council ’s cabinet member for transport, Ramesh Patel, at 20’s Plenty conferences, and added: “Cardiff council officials have done their research.”

Coun Patel said: “This scheme will have a host of benefits by improving public safety, improving the liveability of our streets, reducing the attractiveness of using residential streets as short cuts for drivers as well as encouraging walking and cycling.

'Population is growing'

“We have devised a scheme after learning from other councils in the UK. The scheme will be delivered incrementally from the city centre out, ensuring that the new schemes implemented are immediately adjacent to areas that already have the 20mph limits in place. This will provide continuity for drivers as well as cyclists and walkers using these areas.

“We intend to ensure primary routes in these wards will remain at 30mph, with speeds in residential areas reducing to 20mph.

“The council has liaised with the South Wales Police on the scheme to ensure they are fully briefed as we move forwards. The detail of each scheme will be consulted with local councillors and residents in these wards before we implement the scheme in each area.

“We consulted on this scheme through the Ask Cardiff survey for the last three years and most recently 71.2% of respondents endorsed the 20mph restrictions.

“Cardiff’s population continues to increase so we have to plan for this growth by encouraging more people to leave their car at home and consider using public transport, cycling or walking. This scheme is only part of our overall strategy to achieve this aim. We have to make alternative forms of transport more attractive and viable and this is what we are doing.”